Save Precious Parks

May 27, 1989

On this first big beach weekend of the year, a lot of people will be following the sun to the sand and surf that's reserved for public use by the national park system. In addition to the crowds, the beach-goers may just notice something else. These coastal parks are in danger.

A recent report by the Wilderness Society pinpoints the many pressures that are harming these areas. While the Exxon oil spill, which marred two pristine parks in Alaska, is the most dramatic example, many other forces are adding to the degradation of national parks all along our coastline.

In addition to erosion, the parks are being squeezed by coastal development, ripped up by off-road vehicles, buzzed by military aircraft, and polluted by garbage, agricultural wastewater and runoff from urbanized areas. Two of the nearest examples of national parks under stress are Assateague Island on the Eastern Shore and Cape Hatteras on North Carolina's Outer Banks.

The Wilderness Society has asked federal officials to make protection of the nation's coastal parks a top priority. Suggestions range from more money to improve existing parks and purchase new ones, to tighter restrictions on off-road vehicles and ocean dumping.

Much of our coastline today is cordoned off for the private use of homeowners, hotel guests and business ventures. The seaside havens that are included in the national park system provide much-needed public access to our beaches. Such spots will become even more precious as development increases. The coastal parks must be used wisely, improved upon and preserved in the best shape possible for future generations.